Vietnam – Iran business dialogue held in Hanoi

Updated at Tuesday, 17 Apr 2018, 16:42

The Hanoitimes - A Vietnam – Iran business dialogue took place in Hanoi on April 17 to discuss business opportunities between the two countries.

The event was co-organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the Vietnam – Iran Business Council and Iranian Embassy in Vietnam on the occasion of the ongoing visit by Speaker of the Parliament of Iran Ali Ardeshir Larijani.

Speaking at the dialogue, VCCI Vice President Doan Duy Khuong said bilateral ties have grown towards lifting two-way trade to 2 billion USD, with a focus on oil and gas, telecommunications, agriculture and aquatic products.

Two-way trade hit 164.6 million USD last year, a modest figure compared to the two countries’ potential. Vietnam could export rice, tea, coffee, cashew nuts, pepper, rubber, motorbike and bicycle spare parts to Iran while the Western Asian country could ship petrol, asphalt, chemicals and plastics to Vietnam.
Apart from trade and investment, tourism remains a promising field, given that Vietnam is home to a number of tourist landmarks and beautiful beaches.
Khuong said Vietnam established the Vietnam – Iran Business Council in April 2017 with an aim to serve as a bridge connecting cooperation opportunities between the two countries’ businesses.
Larijani, for his part, suggested bilateral cooperation in oil and gas, petrochemicals, especially liquefied gas, seaports, information technology, telecommunications and tourism, adding that Iran needs to import seedlings, plant oil, rice, and wood materials for paper production.
He expressed his hope that difficulties in payment method and visa will be removed to contribute to raising two-way trade.
A representative from Iran said the country is now home to six free economic zones where enterprises will enjoy tax exemption within 15 years and many other incentives.